Preface
The AceBeam Rider RX is their first AA and 14500 batteries compatible fidget device/gadget flashlight model.
Let’s check out the merits and demerits of this new generation AceBeam Rider RX model.
Note: At the time of this post, this model can be purchased with the following color options:
- Sophisto Grey (as shown in this review)
- Silver
- Rainbow PVD
- Blue
Packaging & First Impressions
This is what the light will come with as shown below.
- The thread and o-ring were lightly lubricated. Threads were fairly smooth and clean (no gritty feeling).
- The tail switch requires a slightly firm press to activate and helps in preventing any unwanted activation of the light.
- The non-removable clip comes pre-installed from factory. However, the dual-direction clip enables fairly deep pocket carry for bezel down carries & allows for attachment of the light to a cap for hands-free usage.
- Exterior shell is made of Stainless Steel which enables this flashlight to double as a fidget device/gadget.
- Aluminum anodizing of the light is uniform without any missing specs.
- The lanyard is able to support the full weight of the light and should hold up to the test of time.
- In order to access the battery, the fidget portion has to be fully extended.
- The provided non-proprietary AceBeam 14500 battery (ARC14500/AA) will work in other brands’ flashlights or external chargers.
- Battery compartment can take other Button Top 14500 OR AA batteries that have a slightly longer and/or thicker battery width.
Note:
- Before using the flashlight for the first time:
- Remove Dustproof Film from the lens.
- Remove Insulation Film from the battery tube.
Front:
Back:
Sides:
Box Contents:
Removing Dustproof Film:
Removing Insulating Film:
Quick Overview (Manufacturer Specifications)
- Body Material: Stainless Steel and Aluminum
- External Body Shell – Stainless Steel Color:
- Sophisto Grey (as shown in this review)
- Silver
- Rainbow PVD
- Blue
- Body Shell – Aluminum Color: Blue
- LED Specification: Nichia 219F, >90CRI, 5000K
- Battery Format: 1 x AA / 1 x 14500 (3.7V rechargeable/1.2V NiMH rechargeable/1.5V lithium primary batteries/1.5V alkaline [not recommended]) ONLY
- Output & Runtime (with included AceBeam 14500 3.7V/920mAh battery):
- Ultra-Low (7 lumens / 2days 5h)
- Low (70 lumens / 3h 8min)
- Mid (280 lumens / 1h)
- High (650 lumens / 2min) → (450 lumens / 6min) → (330 lumens / 55min)
- SOS (450 lumens / 1h)
- Output & Runtime (with included Ni-MH AA battery):
- Ultra-Low (0.5 lumen / 7days)
- Low (5 lumens / 1day)
- Mid (80 lumens / 2h 10min)
- High (200 lumens / 1min) → (150 lumens / 6min) → (85 lumens / 2h)
- SOS (150 lumens / 1h 8min)
- Max Beam Distance: 96m
- Beam intensity: 2,304cd
- Waterproofness: IP68 Standard (2m)
- Impact Resistance: 1m
- Dimension: 95.7mm (length) x 26.1mm/18.6mm (diameter)
- Weight: 82g (including batteries)
- Battery reverse polarity protection
- Accessories Included:
- 1*AceBeam 14500 3.7V/920mAh battery (ARC14500/AA)
- 1*USB C Charging Cable
- 1*Clip
- 1*Lanyard
- 4*Spare O-Rings
- MSRP: ~$50
UI (User Interface)
UI for this light is good for Every Day Carry (EDC) as it is very straightforward to use.
Switching ON and OFF is done by the tail switch on the light, so momentary activation is possible.
Normal Operation
From OFF:
- 1/2 Press – Light will switch ON to MOMENTARY last used mode (last mode memory) – any of the brightness levels.
- 1 Click – Light will switch ON to last used mode (last mode memory) – any of the brightness levels.
- Repeated 1/2 Press – Mode change (light cycles through ULTRA-LOW, LOW, MID & HIGH → ULTRA-LOW, LOW, MID & HIGH). After 2 full cycles, SOS will be activated.
From ON:
- 1 Click – Light will switch OFF.
- Repeated 2 Click (fast) – Mode change (light cycles through ULTRA-LOW, LOW, MID & HIGH → ULTRA-LOW, LOW, MID & HIGH). After 2 full cycles, SOS will be activated.
Note: There is 1 blinky mode for this light (SOS only) and no STROBE modes.
Form Factor
For flashlights that are intended to use on a daily basis (EDC) and for possibly a long period of time, form factor is extremely important.
This light feels fairly hefty due to the stainless steel shell and is well balanced (not head/tail-heavy). It will disappear in a clenched medium sized hand. However, it is worth noting that most of the stainless steel color options will be a fingerprint magnet.
Since this flashlight is marketed as a fidget gadget device, it can be rather addictive to those who enjoy having both a flashlight and a fidget gadget. That said, the additional weight (stainless steel shell) and size due to the fidget mechanism might steer away some potential buyers. In addition, it is necessary to lock-in the fidget mechanism when using/activating the flashlight.
The grooves and clip helps make the light slightly “grippy”, even with wet hands/gloves.
Even with the lanyard attached, it is able to tail-stand perfectly on the tail switch.
Charging Process
With the provided USB C Charging Cable, the battery was charging at ~0.44A.
As the battery is required to be removed from the flashlight for recharging, the flashlight will not be operable during the charging process.
Solid RED indicator on the POSITIVE part of the battery depicts charging in progress.
Solid GREEN indicator on the POSITIVE part of the battery depicts charging has completed.
Beam Style/Beamshots
For this light, the spill, corona and hotspot is somewhat predictable due to the shallow smooth reflector used. The LED is perfectly centred in our sample. Hence, the beam has some “throw” and soft flood for recognizing items in the up-close to near range distance.
The above beam profile is a rough interpretation of what is seen when white wall hunting.
The beam has a somewhat circular hotspot with some slight corona and squarish-type spill. There are some beam artifacts in the beam when whitewall hunting but not as visible in real world usage.
All of the beamshots taken below are done so with the following camera settings (For 14500 Battery – ULTRA-LOW: 2sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, LOW: 0.5sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, MID: 1/6sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB and HIGH: 1/10sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB) & (For AA Battery – ULTRA-LOW: 2.5sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, LOW: 1.3sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, MID: 1/3sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB and HIGH: 1/5sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB).
Some pictures have been adjusted slightly to depict as close as to what is seen in real life. The distance of the light from the door is 4.6m.
With 14500 Battery
Control shot:
ULTRA-LOW (7 lumens):
LOW (70 lumens):
MID (280 lumens):
HIGH (650 lumens):
With AA Battery
Control shot:
ULTRA-LOW (0.5 lumen):
LOW (5 lumens):
MID (80 lumens):
HIGH (200 lumens):
Mode (Output) Spacing
Mode spacing appears to be progressively brighter to the eye and the modes are well spaced enough to be able to know which mode one is currently in. With that in mind, TLR tend to view mode spacing as battery life indicators (amount of runtime left) rather than the specific output (lumens).
The ULTRA-LOW mode is at 7 lumens (when using 14500 battery) which is too bright for bedtime night snack runs or with night-adjusted eyes. However, the ULTRA-LOW mode is at 0.5 lumen (when using AA battery) which is perfect for bedtime night snack runs or with night-adjusted eyes
It would have been nice if AceBeam where able to optimize the LED driver to enable both AA and 14500 battery options to have an ULTRA-LOW mode of 0.5 lumen.
Tint & CRI
AceBeam used is the newer Nichia 219F with the color temperature of 5000K with a 90+ high CRI (Color Rendering Index) Rating, enabling colors pop rather vividly – especially red.
There are some slight tint shifts throughout the beam profile. The hotspot has a neutral white tint with the corona and the spill possessing a slight yellowish tint.
This tint shift is not noticeable in real life usage.
Waterproofness
The light was subjected to warm water submersion, followed by cold water submersion and left under room temperature running water tap whilst running on HIGH.
No signs of water intrusion in the head, switch or body was seen.
Lockout Capability
There is neither electronic nor mechanical lockout available when needed, like during transportation in a bag.
Due diligence is required when transporting in an enclosed area (e.g. in a bag/purse).
Scale Comparison (Ruler)
Summary
To sum up, we believe that the most important part of any review is if given the chance to purchase the same flashlight for our own EDC or to gift to our loved ones out from one’s pocket (wallet), would we still do it?
For this flashlight, it is a YES, if the lack of lock-out is not an issue for your EDC usage.
The somewhat small form factor, unique design, dual battery chemistry compatibility (AA and 14500), fidget feature, straightforward UI, high CRI with Neutral Tint (5000K), USB-C Charging option for the AceBeam 14500 battery are all plus points for this flashlight.
That said, we do hope that AceBeam will be able to optimize dual battery chemistries flashlights/headlights (e.g. AA and 14500) to have true “MOONLIGHT” modes in future models.
As with all gears, two is one and one is none.
Stay safe,
The Lite Review
Disclaimer: Light was provided for by AceBeam (manufacturer) for this review. No other compensation was provided.
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AceBeam Rider RX
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Available Discount Coupon Codes
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